Wednesday, September 04, 2013

Everyone is angry about something these days. Outrage sells. Our culture loves to sling it out there. I can relate. Anger is so often fueled by a sense of self-righteousness and it just feels so darn good.

Moral outrage without a heart of mercy is a slap in the face to God’s mercy. “Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ (Matthew 18:32-33)

Moral outrage without broken-hearted prayer reveals a heart that doesn’t care about people’s salvation. “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

Moral outrage without a humble awareness of our own sinfulness breeds hypocrisy. “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

Moral outrage without an accompanying trust in God’s sovereign rule over all things fosters fear. “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them [kings and rulers] in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury…(Psalm 2:4-5)

Moral outrage without wise speech leads to slander, gossip, and unwholesome talk. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)